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There are 2 main technologies that I want to explore in the years coming:
1) Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) allows optical sectioning within the depth of intact tissue, thereby providing an “optical biopsy” without surgical excision. RCM has demonstrated its potential usefulness for melanoma diagnosis despite its limited penetration.

Unfortunately, this opportunity is currently unavailable. Please check back at a later date.

Summary

The work will be retrospective (20 patients) and prospective (20 patients). The student will be trained in Clinical/ UV lamp/ dermoscopy/ grading of melanocytic proliferation in In vivo Reflectance Confocal Microscopy (RCM) and Pathology skills. He will be integrated in the heart of the melanoma multidisciplinary clinic and research. The student is expected to write at least one article in peer review journal. The student should begin as soon as possible in 2014.

This a master project that should be achieve in 1year. In case of achievement, an NHMRC project grant is written for scholarship in 2015 to continue as a PhD on a randomised controlled multicentre trial of imiquimod versus radiotherapy for lentigo maligna (LM) where all these skills will be necessary.

Supervisor(s)

Research Location

Program Type

Masters

Synopsis

LM is a form of melanoma in situ that usually occurs on sun-damaged skin of elderly people. LM is associated with a higher incidence of local recurrence compared with other common melanoma subtypes. Determination of the peripheral margins of LM is difficult from both clinical and pathological perspectives. There are no prospective studies or randomized controlled trials available to form the basis for any recommendations for the management of LM. Surgery is the treatment of choice but topical treatment (imiquimod) and radiotherapy have also been proposed to treat larger fields, with the hope of decreasing recurrence rates and having less cosmetic sequelae. Dermoscopy and Wood light (UV) examination have been described as useful techniques to better define the extent and recurrence of LM. However, a new technology, in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy in vivo RCM appears superior because it provides cellular resolution in the upper layers of the skin.